High Wind — Cape Decision To Salisbury Sound Coastal Area, Alaska

2011-12-26 · Cape Decision To Salisbury Sound Coastal Area, Alaska

Event narrative

NCEP surface analyses showed very strong pressure gradients over the area during this time. Marine observation Cape Decision near the southern end of Baranof Island measured a peak wind of 73 KT at 0900 AKST 12.26 with many sustained wind speeds in the 60s. Port Alexander had missing wind observations that day.

Wider weather episode

On the afternoon of 12.25 a moderate gale developed over the North Pacific. This gale became a full storm force low by early morning of 12.26 covering the entire Gulf of Alaska. This system brought heavy snow to the Haines area on 12.26 and 12.27 while causing strong winds for the outer coast and southern Panhandle. By the afternoon of 12.26 the central pressure had fallen to 960 MB near Middleton Island with hurricane force gusts. This system rapidly weakened on the evening of 12.26 but continued to cause heavy snow for Haines.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 353428. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.